Arrest in shooting of 3 bystanders in Philly

A MAN ACCUSED of escalating a petty argument into a violent shooting that wounded three bystanders, one of whom was clinging to life last night, is behind bars, police said.

Leonard Hampton, 44 - of Tampa Street near Wyoming Avenue in Juniata Park, where the shooting took place - has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, gun violations and related offenses after he allegedly called three of his scumbag buddies for help after losing an argument with another man late Saturday.

Hampton's friends were armed and opened fire on their intended target, a 23-year-old man who was hit twice in his left leg, according to police.

However, three other men stuck in traffic about a block away were hit by stray gunfire as the punks kept pumping rounds.

One of those unintentional victims, a 25-year-old man, remained in critical condition last night at Temple University Hospital after getting shot in the head, said Officer Jillian Russell, a police spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Hampton remained in custody at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility without bail, according to court records.

Those records show he has a long history of criminal activity, including guilty convictions for drug charges, assault and terroristic threats.

Hampton's record also includes a previous arrest on a murder charge, according to Russell.

Last night, investigators were still searching the city for the three men who allegedly tagged along with Hampton, police said.